Tag Archives: debt and divorce

Going through a divorce will likely have a profound impact on nearly every aspect of your life. This is especially true when it comes to your finances. For most people, a divorce is not only going to take two combined incomes and split them up, but it will also change what financial responsibilities you have.

You may, for example, have to start paying child support or spousal support, which will obviously have to be added into your monthly budget. Even if you are receiving child support or spousal support payments, however, you will need to use that money to cover many new expenses caused by the divorce. The following four tips can help you to put yourself in as strong of a position as possible after your divorce is finalized.

1. Start a Strict Budget Now

Living on a budget is always important, but during and just after a divorce, it is more critical than ever. Do everything you can to minimize your expenses now, and live well under your means. Once the divorce is finalized and you are able to accurately see all your new income and expenses, you can start transitioning into your ‘new normal’ for money. It is much easier to have a little extra money in your budget after a divorce than it would be to be short each month.

While few couples blame money for their divorce, studies show money troubles can significantly increase a couple’s risk of divorce. In fact, arguments about money were found to be the top predictor of divorce in one from Utah State University. Researchers also determined that frequent fighting increased a couple’s overall odds of divorce by 30 percent.

Of course, not all debt is acquired during the marriage.

In a Fidelity, Couples & Money study, almost half of all the couples surveyed indicated they had entered into their marriage with debt. Around 40 percent of them said that it had a negative effect on their marriage, and 49 percent said they disagreed about who was responsible for those debts.

When divorcing couples think about the process ahead, they tend to focus on the division of their assets. However, it is important to understand that marital debt is usually factored into the divorce settlement as well. Learn more about divorcing with joint debt, and discover what a seasoned divorce attorney can do to improve the outcome of your case and future financial standing.

How Debt is Divided During an Illinois Divorce

Debt is handled a lot like assets in a divorce; parties report any debts that they have and they decide whom will be responsible for it. Some negotiate this matter, while others have their debts and assets divided by a judge. In either case, the balance of the debt is usually deducted from the settlement amount. The assumed “owner” of the debt is then responsible for paying it back. Unfortunately, if the spouse that is responsible for the debt defaults, creditors may start looking at the other party to collect any remaining balance.

Divorce and Your Creditors

A lot of couples assume that they can resolve debt issues by simply provide their creditors with a copy of their divorce decree. Sadly, this is rarely ever the case. Creditors do not concern themselves with the life details of their debtors. Their only objective is to recover the money that they have loaned, and since they are not required to honor any agreements that are made between you and your spouse during a divorce, they will likely turn to you if your spouse defaults on their payments, disappears, or files bankruptcy after the divorce.

During an Illinois divorce, a couple’s marital estate is totaled and then divided according to the law. In that marital estate is not just a couple’s assets and income; debt is factored in as well. Unfortunately, this can be especially problematic in a divorce - and not just because it can affect the amount of one’s settlement.

Couples might have different values when it comes to money and debt, and one party may have contributed more to the couple’s debt load than the other. Alternatively, one party may have less of an ability to repay the debts because they have a fixed or limited earning ability. Whatever the situation, parties are encouraged to educate themselves on dealing with debt in a divorce, and that includes learning how to go about deciding who should pay for the couple’s credit card debts.

Although most people are aware that assets are equitably split during an Illinois divorce, few couples stop to think about their debts. However, this too is divided – and it can lead to financial ruin for one or both parties if mishandled. Learn how you can protect your finances during a divorce, and discover how paying off your credit card debt may ease the overall process. You shall also learn what an experienced attorney can do for you.

What No One Tells You About Debt in Divorce

The real problem with debt in divorce is not that it is divided. Instead, it is that the original debtor is still held accountable, regardless of the decree. For example, one party may agree to pay on a joint credit card, but if that party defaults on their payments, both may face legal action from the creditor. The same holds true for other forms of debt, such as student loans, vehicle leases, and mortgages.